Selimiye Barracks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Selimiye Barracks |
|
|---|---|
| Selimiye Kışlası | |
| Harem, Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey | |
Selimiye Barracks
|
|
 Selimiye Barracks
|
|
| Coordinates | 41°0′29″N 29°0′57″E / 41.00806°N 29.01583°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1828 |
| Built by | Sultan Mahmud II |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War (1854–56), |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | First Army HQ, Turkish Land Forces |
The Selimiye Barracks (also called Selimiye Kışlası in Turkish) is a famous building in Istanbul, Turkey. It's a large barracks, which is a place where soldiers live and train. You can find it in the Üsküdar area, on the Asian side of the city.
This important building was first built in 1800 by Sultan Selim III. He wanted a place for his new army, called the Nizam-ı Cedid (which means "New Order"). This was part of his plan to make the Ottoman Empire's army stronger. Today, the Selimiye Barracks is the main office for the First Army of the Turkish Land Forces. The barracks is located near the Sea of Marmara, between the neighborhoods of Harem and Kadıköy.
Building the Barracks
The first barracks was made of wood and designed by Krikor Balyan. But in 1806, it was burned down by soldiers called Janissaries. They were against the Sultan's changes to the army.
Sultan Mahmud II decided to rebuild the barracks using stone in 1825. The new stone building was finished on February 6, 1828. Later, Sultan Abdülmecid I had the barracks improved two times. This happened in 1842–43 and again in 1849–50.
During these improvements, a tall tower was added to each of the four corners. These seven-story towers gave the barracks its look that we see today. The building is very big, shaped like a rectangle, about 200 by 267 meters (656 by 876 feet). It has a huge open space in the middle for parades. Most parts of the building have three floors, but one side only has two because of the way the ground slopes.
The Crimean War and Florence Nightingale
During the Crimean War, which lasted from 1854 to 1856, the Selimiye Barracks became very important. It was used by the British Army as they traveled from Britain to the Crimea.
After many soldiers left for the war, the barracks was turned into a temporary military hospital. This is where Florence Nightingale arrived on November 4, 1854. She came to Scutari with 37 volunteer nurses. They worked hard to care for thousands of soldiers who were hurt or sick.
Sadly, about 6,000 soldiers died at Selimiye Barracks during the war. Many of them died from a serious sickness called cholera. These soldiers were buried in a special area nearby, which is now called the Haydarpaşa Cemetery. Florence Nightingale became a hero for her work and returned home in 1857. Today, you can visit a small museum in the northern tower of the barracks. It helps us remember Florence Nightingale and her brave work.
- Crimean War
-
An early photo, taken at Scutari, of officers and men of the 93rd Highland Regiment, shortly before their engagement in the Crimean War, 1854.
-
An 1856 lithograph of the Selimiye barracks as a hospital during the Crimean War.
